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Professional graffiti writer Gear will present a residency for eighth-grade art students at Lakewood and South Middle Schools on Feb 18 and 19. Gear and local hip-hop artist cash hollistah will work with both schools to discuss the history of Midwest hip-hop culture and its importance as an art movement. Gear will then share his artist’s process and demonstrate his graffiti techniques.

The creative sessions with the middle-school classes will result in permanent murals that later will be installed at each school. The intent of the project is to reflect a unique student-body identity through visual expression. The pieces will be finished at the 2016 Smoky Hill River Festival as an Art Instillation and then be placed in the schools. Gear’s visit is made possible by the Salina Arts & Humanities Arts Infusion program and the USD 305 bond project.

For 30 years, Gear has been engaged in the art of graffiti writing and is an acknowledged master of this art form. With a practice firmly based in the history of graffiti that is synchronous with human history, most recently dating to the late 1970s emergence of hip-hop culture, Gear contributes to the legacy of graffiti writing through the invention of unique styles that have influenced other artists’ work.

Gear was born and raised in Kansas City and became interested in art at an early age. With a preference for visual communication, he believes in the transformative power of art. Graffiti changes its surrounding environment and makes a raw statement about identity and expression. Gear also has mentored at-risk youth with graffiti training, holding them to standards of discipline and respect. He shares his work with young people and their families in settings like the Smoky Hill River Festival.

Salina Arts & Humanities, a department of the City of Salina, has served a unique role in arts advocacy and support since 1966. The Smoky Hill River Festival, Horizons Grants Program, Smoky Hill Museum, Arts Infusion Program in schools, Community Art & Design, Cultural Connections, and Art a la Carte concert series are among the programs of Salina Arts & Humanities, located at 211 W. Iron Avenue in Salina.